Hey everyone! So far, Spring here in good ole eastern Pennsylvania has been odd. I mean, one day it's sunny and in the 70s and the next day it drops 20 degrees. Anyways, I have a few tips that I like to use once the weather starts getting warmer, because if you're like me, your body goes into hibernation mode in the winter! Now it's time to get soft, smooth skin that's ready to be shown in cute dresses and sleeveless tops! (Once the weather starts cooperating, of course!)
The first thing I do with my skin once the weather starts getting nice is exfoliate! And I mean I exfoliate everything from my chest down! I use my facial exfoliator regularly, but the skin on my body tends to get neglected in the winter. Now I don't exfoliate my whole body in one shower. I did that before and it made my hands raw! I usually exfoliate my chest, arms and torso one night, then the next night I'll do my legs and butt (yep, I said butt! Everyone wants a soft rear end, right?).
Anyways, I love using a body scrub that's either sugar or salt based because it gets the job done, but it's still gentle enough and doesn't cause irritation. Since the scrubs I like are sugar or salt based, that means I also like them to be very moisturizing which is why I prefer to use one that's also oil based. One of the scrubs I enjoy using is The Body Shop Sweet Lemon Body Scrub. The smell of this is so amazing! I sometimes have issues with products that smell like lemon because they can smell like chemicals, but this smells like straight up lemonade to me. I absolutely love it! This product is made with lemon peel and organic sugar which helps with exfoliation, and lemon seed oil and soya oil, which has the moisturizing effects. Because this is oil based, it will leave a film on your skin, but I personally don't mind that as it helps with moisturizing my skin.
Once I'm all exfoliated and moisturized, the following day I'll shave my legs and anything else that need shaving. I just use a razor that you can use a few times then toss in the trash, and shave cream that's on sale. There's nothing fancy I use at all for shaving, so use what you like. Also, I don't do all the exfoliation and shaving in one day because 1- it uses up so much water and 2- the warm water for my shower doesn't last very long and I hate cold showers, so I can't be in there for an hour.
After all the exfoliation and shaving, I use a very hydrating body butter and this one from The Body Shop is interesting. It's a Body Butter Duo in a vanilla scent.
What's really cool about this product is that the left side is for if your skin is normal, and the right side is for dry skin areas. On my body, my legs are usually pretty dry, and after this exfoliation and shaving routine, I want to lock in all the moisture I can, so I use the dry skin side for my legs, and the normal side for the rest of my body. I haven't used this particular jar yet, but I've used one in the past and I love it. I will say though, this doesn't have a very strong vanilla scent. To me, I smell more shea butter than vanilla but that could be because shea butter is the second ingredient in this product.
So that's my little routine I do every year once spring hits and it starts getting warmer outside! You don't have to use these exact products to get the same effect, any scrub and moisturizer will do. I just personally love how I do my routine, and I felt like sharing!
What's your routine when spring arrives?
Hi everyone! It's such a beautiful day outside today and it makes me so happy that the weather is finally getting nicer and warmer. Since it's so nice out, it got me thinking about what my must-haves for Spring are. I do have a few skincare and makeup items that I love and want to share, so here they are!
Starting off with skincare, I need a good cleanser that's going to help clean my skin and not make it oily. I can already tell that my skin is getting oilier and oilier as the days go on. A cleanser that I'll be using this Spring once it stays warm outside is this Clean & Clear Morning Burst Shine Control Facial Cleanser. This cleanser will help clean my skin and leave it shine free. It's also supposed to help you with waking up, which I definitely need in the morning!
Next, it's important for me to stop using my heavier Winter moisturizer, and start using one that's oil-free and light. I can't wait to start using the Philosophy Hope in a Jar Oil-Free Moisturizer for normal to oily skin. I've heard some good things about this moisturizer, and it came in a Philosophy skincare kit, so this will be the perfect moisturizer to transition into Spring with!
Lastly, it's super important to be using more sunblock! It's always important to wear sunblock everyday, but if you don't use it everyday, get in the habit of doing so. It's one of the main things that'll help slow down aging, and I know everyone wants to have young looking, beautiful skin no matter what your age. I know I've talked about this Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock with SPF 55 before, and yes, this is still my all time favorite sunblock ever!
Now onto makeup! I've already mentioned that I don't wear the typical liquid foundation. I only use tinted moisturizers and BB creams. This Sonia Kashuk Radiant Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15 will be perfect for the days I want some coverage on my skin, but don't want it to look heavy and caky. I also like this tinted moisturizer because I get the lightest shade, fair, and it's absolutely perfect for my skin! I'm so pale no matter what season it is. I never tan and I'm always slathered in sunblock if I'm going to the beach or I'm going to be out in the sun for long periods of time. I know this will continue to be my shade through Summer.
My next must-have is a makeup setting spray. I'm currently using the Urban Decay De-Slick, which is the oil control one, but if you have dry skin, there are other setting sprays meant for your skin. I just like this because it does help to control my oil longer than normal. I know I'll still get greasy throughout my day, but this helps to keep shine away for a bit longer than usual. I'll use this before I put on tinted moisturizer or BB cream, then after, before I put on powder products. I found that helps my skin out a little more.
Next up is a lip balm with SPF. I'm currently using the On10 Cherry Chocolate Dr. Pepper lip balm that has SPF 15 in it. Can I just take a minute and tell you how amazing this stuff smells?! Seriously, it's like heaven. Anyways, any lip balm with SPF will do. No one wants sunburn on their lips!
Finally, I think it's fun to change up eyeshadows a bit, so having bright and fun colors to play with is always nice! I love this palette from Tarte that my mom got for me I wanna say around 3 years ago. It's the Flower Child palette, and I don't believe it's available anymore, but I love this palette! There's one matte shadow and the rest are and shimmer, you have your neutrals, which everyone needs, but then you have your pop of color that can be light and fun, or a bit more smokey for nighttime. There are a bunch of different looks you can create with this, but hey, fun and bright shadows will do! You don't need this specific palette :)
Last but not least, I figured I'd show some fun nail polishes that are nice for Spring! The first one is by Nails Inc, and the color is called Notting Hill Gate. This mini polish came in a set of Neutrals and Neons, and I absolutely love this bright neon pink color! It probably doesn't show up that well on camera, but in person it's literally bright neon pink. It's amazing. Next up is a minty color from Color Club called Blue-Ming. I received this in a Birchbox a while back and I think it's a beautiful color for Spring. My last nail polish is from Butter London and it's Primrose Hill Picnic. I think this color is gorgeous! It looks really pretty on the nails, and is still a bright pink color, but to me it has a hint of purple undertones to it, which I think softens it a bit, but still makes it stand out. I'm getting in the habit more of painting my nails and these three colors stood out the most to me for this time of year.
Those are my Spring beauty must-haves! I seriously can't wait until the weather stays this nice all the time! I love the Spring months, and this means I'm a few months closer to getting married! Eeek! So exciting!
What are your must-haves for Spring?
